10-day Self Guided Motorcycle Tour to Delphi and Peloponnese
10-day self-guided motorcycle tour of the Peloponnese region including one day in Central Greece. 1,800 km covering UNESCO sites, mountain passes, and coastal routes. Includes 10 nights accommodation, motorcycle rental with luggage equipment, GPS navigation with pre-loaded routes, and insurance with excess. Two optional rest days. Flexible departure dates. Advanced difficulty. Prices from €1915 per rider.
This page presents the tour broken down in the following sections:
This 10-day self-guided motorcycle tour connects the ancient oracle of Delphi in central Greece with the itinerary covered in our “8-day tour of the Peloponnese”. You’ll begin in the mountains of Central Greece, tracing scenic roads to one of the most spiritually significant places of the ancient world — before heading south to do our most complete route through the Peloponnese, covering the region’s full geographic range — from the Mani Peninsula in the far south to the mountain villages of Arcadia in the north.
This itinerary includes a built-in rest day, giving you time to manage fatigue. You’ll ride roughly 1,800 kilometers (1,150 miles) across terrain that shifts constantly — coastal cliffs, forested mountain passes, alpine ridges, and medieval towns built into rock.
The route passes six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of Greece’s most technically engaging roads, including the Taygetos mountain crossing and the forest routes of Mount Parnonas. Most riding days average 4-5 hours in the saddle, with distances between 160-255 kilometers depending on terrain
Customers who did this tour wrote on TripAdvisor:
… The best way for a rider to see Greece is a tour with MotoGreece. We just finished a 10 day self guided tour of Delphi and the Peloponnese. Amazing history and Culture, beautiful small Greek towns with few tourists and some of the most amazing mountain and coastal rides I have seen. You could do it on your own, but as a visitor you would miss many places. John and John at MotoGreece provided beautiful, almost new bikes, multiple route options, expertise and support as well as great accommodation bookings. Highly recommend and would love to explore more of their fantastic country with them.
… … excellent route, excellent bike, excellent accomodations, excellent hosts, excellent weather. This was our 7th self-guided trip to different parts of the world and is the best so far.
This Tour at a Glance:
Start & Finish : Athens, Greece
Duration: 10 days riding days with options to extend or to spend some of them relaxing
Riding hours: Daily average: 4-5 hours on the saddle. A couple of days are longer (ca. 6 hours).
Distance: 1,140 miles. Daily rides of 110 to 170 miles
Accommodation: Mostly 4 star, elegant boutique hotels. All of them top rated and personally selected by us
Roads: 100% paved. A large amount of this tour runs on narrow, single lane, secondary mountain routes.
Difficulty: “Intermediate” to “Advanced” level. This tour is not suitable for inexperienced riders
TYPE OF RIDING
What to Expect on These Routes
Most of your riding will be on quiet secondary roads, often with little to no traffic. These aren’t highways — they’re scenic country routes, hand-picked for their curves, beauty, and character. You’ll experience:
- Long sections of twisty mountain roads
- Occasional narrow passages through villages
- Shifting terrain from dry, arid landscapes to lush, green elevations
- Excellent pavement in many areas, with occasional rough spots in remote sections
- If you love technical riding, varied scenery, and the feeling of riding through a living history book — the Peloponnese delivers
The following images were taken along the routes of this tour and capture the type or riding you will be doing
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
What This Route Covers
This tour is packed with historical and cultural treasures, including six UNESCO sites:
- Delphi – Once the spiritual center of the ancient world
- Mycenae – Citadel of Agamemnon and the Bronze Age kings
- Epidaurus – Home to the theater of perfect acoustics
- Mystras – Byzantine glory and crumbling palaces
- Olympia – Where the Olympic flame was first lit
- Temple of Apollo at Bassae – Hidden deep in the mountains
And also:
- Nafplion – Greece’s elegant former capital, with a walkable old town and Venetian castle
- Monemvasia – Medieval fortress town carved into a seaside cliff
- The Mani Peninsula – Wild, rugged, and full of tower houses and local legend
- Diros Caves – A subterranean river journey into geological wonder
It’s a tour that satisfies both the rider’s heart and the history lover’s soul.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Athens – Delphi (route options, 185 – 195 kilometers / 115 – 120 miles)
Exit Athens via established routes, initially on motorway before transitioning to secondary roads through central Greece. This is the easiest riding day of the tour – standard two-lane roads with regular traffic and clear signage. Use this day to familiarize yourself with the motorcycle and Greek road conditions before technical demands increase.
Route options available: the direct path (165km) reaches Delphi by mid-afternoon, allowing 2-3 hours for site visits before closing time. The extended option adds rural roads through agricultural areas but increases distance only marginally.
Delphi sits at 570 meters elevation on Mount Parnassus slopes. The archaeological site spans steep hillside terrain – visiting requires walking on uneven stone paths. The site closes at 8pm in summer months, earlier in shoulder season.
Accommodation in Delphi is tourist-standard with established infrastructure.
Day 2: Delphi – Vytina, Arcadia province (2 nights in Vytina), 255 kilometers (160 miles)
The morning section follows the Gulf of Corinth coast to Nafpaktos. Nafpaktos is a small coastal town (population ~15,000) with a Venetian-era harbor and hillside fortress. The harbor area is the town’s tourism center with restaurants and cafes along the waterfront.
Continuing from Nafpaktos, the route crosses the Rio – Antirrio bridge, one of the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges and follows the motorway briefly, before turning south to climb the mountain range of Helmos. You will pass through Kalavryta, a small town that is a symbol of the Greek resistance during the 2nd world war.
The ride continues on flowing provincial roads in the province of Arcadia province all the way until the destination for the day, a mountain resort.
Day 3: Vytina – ancient Olympia – Vytina, 195 kilometers (122 miles)
This is a loop ride that departs from and returns to Vytina, with an optional stop at Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage Site). You have flexibility to adjust based on your interests — focus on riding, focus on the cultural site, or balance both.
The route takes you west toward the ancient site of Olympia (birthplace of the Olympic Games). If you visit, plan 1.5-2 hours at the site — it’s extensive and requires walking. From Olympia, the route loops back northeast then east through the countryside, returning to Vytina initially via a smooth provincial road. The final section tightens through a forested mountain route.
Traffic is minimal except near Olympia itself.
Timing note: You’ll return to the same accommodation tonight. Most riders pack light for the day (tank bag only) and leave luggage at the hotel
Day 4: Vytina – Pylos, 180 kilometers (112 miles).
Today’s route takes you to the soutwest corner of the Peloponnese, passing through small villages that played significant roles in Greece’s 19th-century war of independence. The riding is varied — starting on narrow, winding mountain routes then shifting on faster coastal roads.
The first half of the route is technical. You’ll ride through mountain villages on roads that narrow to single-lane width with passing zones. Some sections are challenging — tight switchbacks and small, local roads that require patience. Surface quality varies from good asphalt to older, patched sections. If you’re interested in ancient sites, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae is located along the way — a UNESCO site that’s one of the most remote and least-visited major temples in Greece. Most riders who visit spend 30 minutes at the site.
The second half of the route runs south along the coast on faster-flowing provincial roads until you reach the destination of the day. Pylos is a coastal town on the western Peloponnese, facing the Ionian Sea. Your accommodation is near the harbor, with tavernas and waterfront within walking distance.
Day 5: Pylos – Limeni, 216 kilometers (135 miles)
Today you’ll cross the Taygetos mountain range — one of the most technically engaging roads in Greece and a highlight of this tour. The crossing involves roughly 30 km of continuous climbing with tight hairpins, steep grades (8-12% in sections), and road width that narrows to a single lane in places.
The route starts heading south toward Methoni for an optional visit at the town’s medieval fortification and continues along the coastline to Kalamata. From there you’ll start the climb to approximately 1,200 meters at the pass summit. The ascent features dozens of hairpin turns, many of them blind. The pavement is generally excellent, but the technical demand comes from the combination of grade, tightness, and exposure.
After completing the Taygetos route, you have the option to stop at Mystras (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1-1.5 hours if visiting). The Byzantine ruins are extensive and worth the time if you’re interested in history, but they require walking uphill on uneven stone paths. Many riders choose to skip it in favor of riding time, which is perfectly valid — you’ll see the fortress from the road whether you stop or not.
You’ll emerge on the plains of Sparta and continue south on a faster-flowing provincial road that takes you to the Mani Peninsula. Your accommodation is in Limeni, a small bay settlement with swimming access.
Timing consideration: This is a long day by technical demand, not just distance. The Taygetos crossing requires full attention, and fatigue accumulates quickly on steep, tight roads. Most riders take 5-6 hours including stops. Plan accordingly. You will have an alternative route option to recude distance and time on the road: at the start of the day you can skip the southwest loop to Methoni and ride directly to Kalamata.
Day 6: Limeni – Monemvasia (2 nights here), 176 kilometers (110 miles).
This is your shortest riding day by distance, but it’s deliberately placed here to balance yesterday’s mountain crossing with tomorrow’s rest day. The short duration will also allow you to visit Diros Caves for the underground boat tour. The tour takes approximately 20-30 minutes, though waiting time of about 20-30 minutes is often during summer. The site is located within a few kilometers after the start of today’s ride.
The route then takes you through the Mani Peninsula — a geographically distinct region with arid terrain, stone-built tower houses, and a rugged coastline.
You’ll ride south along the west coast, then loop around Cape Tainaron (also called Cape Matapan) — the southernmost point of mainland Greece and the second-most southern point in continental Europe. According to Greek mythology, an entrance to the underworld was located here, though you’ll find only a lighthouse and dramatic coastal scenery.
The roads through Mani are narrow. Expect village passages with tight corners, occasional livestock, and surface quality that varies from good asphalt to patched sections. This isn’t technical difficulty — it’s infrastructure reality in a sparsely populated region. Speeds stay low through villages (20-30 km/h).
Finishing the loop, you will ride on faster pacing provincial roads all the way until Monemvasia, a fortified medieval town built on a rock island connected by a short causeway. Your accommodation is either in the modern village (Gefyra) or inside the old town itself, depending on availability. If you’re staying inside the walls, you’ll park outside and walk in — no vehicles are permitted in the medieval section
The setting is deliberately chosen for tomorrow’s rest day — most riders appreciate a coastal location after six days of riding.
Day 7: free day, in Monemvasia
Time to relax by the sea and explore the old town. You may also choose to do a short local loop ride, taking furhter south to the small island of Elafonisi (regular ferries throughout the day, 10 minutes crossing)
Day 8 : Monemvasia – Nafplion (2 nights in Nafplion), 210 kilometers (130 miles)
Today the route brings you back to Greek mountain riding. You’ll start on provincial roads heading north, then turn inland into Mount Parnonas — a long, forested mountain range that sees almost no traffic once you start the climb.
Expect 80 kilometers of continuous mountain curves through dense forest, with minimal straight sections and constant elevation changes. The pavement quality is good, but the road narrows in places to single-lane width with passing zones. You’ll climb gradually to roughly 1,400 meters before descending toward the eastern coast.
Don’t be surprised if you ride for 2-3 hours without seeing another vehicle — this is normal for Greek mountain roads outside typical tourist routes. The isolation is part of the appeal, but it also means self-sufficiency matters. Check your fuel before the climb; the next reliable station is after you’ve crossed the range.
You’ll emerge on the eastern coast and follow it north to Nafplion, where you will arrive by late afternoon, giving you time to explore the old town on foot before dinner. The town center is car-free, which is why we chose accommodation here — you’ll walk, not ride, to restaurants and the Palamidi fortress
Day 9 : Nafplio, free day or local ride, 160-210 kilometers (100 – 130 miles).
Two options for this day:
Option 1: Rest in Nafplion.
The town’s coastal character with its historic pedestrian-only center make it an ideal rest location. At the same time, the town offers numerous attractions that can keep you busy: the old castle of Palamidi, the old neighborhoods of the fishermen, the narrow venetian style alleys and streets of the historic center with old renovated mansions.
Option 2: Loop Ride from Nafplion – Mainalo Mountain (225 kilometers / 140 miles).
You’ll depart Nafplion heading north to stop at ancient Mycenae (UNESCO site, requires 20 km detour from main route, 45-60 minutes if visiting). The ruins include the Lion Gate and cyclopean walls from Bronze Age Greece. The site requires uphill walking on uneven terrain.
From Mycenae the route continues west into the Arcadian mountains, specifically the Mainalo range. You’ll climb gradually through forested terrain, reaching elevations around 1,200 meters. The riding features continuous mountain curves and switchbacks, with minimal straight sections — technical but not extreme, with good pavement and moderate traffic near larger villages.
The loop’s highlight is the return descent via the Achladokampos route — a technical section with tight switchbacks and coastal views toward the Gulf of Argolis. This is a local favorite among Greek riders, known for rhythm and flow rather than extreme technicality.
Expect 4-5 hours of riding time. The loop brings you back to Nafplion by late afternoon, giving you time to rest before dinner. No packing required tonight — you’re staying in the same room.
Riding character: Continuous curves, forested terrain, well-maintained roads, moderate technical demand.
Day 10: Nafplion – Athens, 193 kilometers (120 miles).
The route of this last day follows a fast paced provincial road to the ancient theater at Epidaurus (30-45 minutes including the acoustics demonstration, which happens naturally when tour groups arrive). The theater is directly on your route, not a detour. It then continues on one of the most popular routes among Greek riders — well-maintained pavement, moderate curves, and enough technical interest to settle you into the bike without demanding full concentration. The road offers good sightlines and consistent surface quality.
The Corinth Canal (5-10 minute photo stop) sits along the route just before the last segment of the route back to Athens. The final approach to Athens requires navigating suburban traffic. To avoid the increased traffic density in the final 30-40km, the established route uses the ring motorway to bring you back to our facilities.
Timing note: This is deliberately your lightest day in order to allow an easy return to Athens without feeling rushed.
Extensions Options
The itinerary described above includes 2 days out of the total 10 that offer riders the option to either ride or sit out and relax.
Riders who do not want to miss the opportunity to ride all of the optional routes that are suggested for those “non-riding” days, are required to handle a full 10-day riding experience. In such a case, considering the addition of non-riding days often makes it a reasonable decision as fatigue could otherwise compound.
The suggested locations for adding non riding days are the seaside destinations of the original itinerary: Nafplion, and/or Limeni, and/or Monemvasia.
- Add 1 day in the much-photographed little fishing port of Limeni if you want to simply relax by the coast or by the pool of your hotel, at a location that is often quiet, with little crowds.
- Add 1 day in Nafplio if you want to fully experience the atmosphere of its charming historic centre with neoclassical buildings, old neighbourhoods, wide sidewalks and large squares, a seafront promenade and Venetian-era monuments. It was modern Greece’s first capital and is considered one of the most romantic cities in the country.
- Add 1 day in Monemvasia if you want to explore this medieval town at ease and soak in all the romantic vibes it offers. Monemvasia is the country’s best-preserved ‘castle town’, built behind a massive rock on a peninsula and still inhabited despite being founded in the 6th century. It is no surprise that Monemvasia is consider by many Greeks as an ultimate destination for a romantic weekend getaway.
For any of those extra days, there won’t be any route planned.
DATES
There are no fixed dates for this tour. You may request to do this whenever you wish, provided there is availability of motorcycles and accommodation.
Best experienced during April*, May, early June, then from the 2nd half of September and October.
In April: a couple of the mountain passes (during day 2 and day 8) may still hold some snow in the shoulders of the roads. Caution is required.
July and August can get hot and crowded. The sea will be at its best though, if you decide to add non-riding days by the sea!
In November :
- chances of rain are increased, temperatures on the highest parts of the mountain passes can sometimes be as low as 10 degrees Celsius.
- most hotels in the coastal locations of Mani & Pylos close for the season. If you decide to do this tour in November, those 2 locations will be swapped for the town of Kalamata. Accordingly the routes of days 4, 5 and 6 will have to be altered significant
PRICING
Pricing for this tour and its offered extension options are given in the tables below. Prices vary per motorcycle selection and accommodation (solo, sharing room, or 2-up). Booking deposits and payment details are listed after the tables.
2026 Prices
| (all prices in euros) | Single Rider, single room | Single Rider, sharing twin room | Rider + Passenger *, double room |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R 1300 GS | 3,420 | 2,790 | 3,700 |
| BMW R 1250 GS | 3,315 | 2,685 | 3,550 |
| HONDA NT 1100 DCT | 3,095 | 2,465 | 3,330 |
| BMW F 800 GS | 2,970 | 2,335 | 3,205 |
| HONDA NC 750X | 2,705 | 2,075 | 2,940 |
| HONDA ΝΧ500 | 2,550 | 1,915 | 2,780 |
Extension option: add 1 day at Limeni, additional Cost :
| (all prices in euros) | Single Rider, single room | Single Rider, sharing twin room | Rider + Passenger *, double room |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R 1300 GS | 312 | 228 | 318 |
| BMW R 1250 GS | 303 | 219 | 310 |
| HONDA NT 1100 DCT | 285 | 200 | 290 |
| BMW F 800 GS | 275 | 190 | 280 |
| HONDA NC 750X | 251 | 166 | 257 |
| HONDA ΝΧ500 | 238 | 153 | 244 |
Extension option: add 1 day at Nafplio or Monemvasia, additional Cost :
| (all prices in euros) | Single Rider, single room | Single Rider, sharing twin room | Rider + Passenger *, double room |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R 1300 GS | 283 | 213 | 290 |
| BMW R 1250 GS | 274 | 204 | 280 |
| HONDA NT 1100 DCT | 255 | 186 | 262 |
| BMW F 800 GS | 245 | 175 | 251 |
| HONDA NC 750X | 222 | 152 | 229 |
| HONDA ΝΧ500 | 209 | 139 | 216 |
(* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.)
Booking deposit, per person :
- 650 euros for the original 10-day itinerary.
- +60 euros for every extra day, per person.
Remaining amount is paid in 2 parts:
- 50% : 60 days before arrival. If you are placing your booking initially at a date less than 60 days prior to the starting date, 50% of the tour’s price is required as a deposit.
- 50% : the day you collect the bike.
Note: prices shown are based on quotes from hotels offered to us for group tours on fixed dates. Depending on the exact dates of your travel, prices may be slightly higher. For example (but not restricted to) :
- During the entire month of August
- the “long weekends” around national holidays/anniversaries : 25th March, 28th October, Ash Monday, Greek orthodox Easter, Labour Day (1st of May), Orthodox Holy Spirit Sunday & Monday
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
The following are included in the price that you are paying:
- 9 nights accommodation with breakfasts, in personally selected hotels.
- Rental of Motorcycle, with side panniers, top case, comprehensive insurance with excess.
- Rental of 1 GPS per 4 people, with routes and POIs pre-loaded for every day
- Printed map with routes marked and a 20-page handbook with key information for the trip, suggestions, tips etc.
- 2 helmets, of basic quality, European standards approved. Options available to upgrade to high quality helmets, for an added daily fee.
- Free luggage storage at our premises.
- 24% VAT
The following are not included:
- accommodation in Athens, when you fly in and when you ride back to Athens (we can certainly arrange it if you wish)
- airport transfers (offered as an option)
- Fuel & tolls
- Food, drinks, personal daily expenses & tips
- Fines, tickets
- Entrance fees to local museums, tourist sites
- Accommodation & Environmental tax. This is paid directly to each hotel during your check out, and it ranges from 1.5 to 10 euros per night
- Ferries, parking
- Personal travel insurance
Also, not included are the costs of any “added” days you may choose to have. Those costs will typically have to include the daily rental rate of the motorcycle plus the accommodation cost, which varies depending on where you choose to spend those added days.
Optional Gear & Services
We offer the following equipment. All prices shown are in Euros, per item, and for the total duration of the trip. For any of the equipment listed below, you will need to request it in advance, as we have very limited stock. So a reservation must be made, and 25% of the cost will be added to the intitial booking deposit of the tour.
| Summer Jacket | 35 |
| 4 season Jacket | 35 |
| Premium Helmet | 40 |
| Helmet Intercom | 30 |
| Tank bag | 15 |
| GoPro | 40 |
| GPS | included as standard |
Summer Jackets: lightweight, fully ventilated with big mesh panels in front and back. Shoulders, elbows and back protectors included.
4-season Jackets: with removable thermal liner, and an inner removable waterproof layer. The outer shell is not waterproof, it is a standard cordura type. There are zipped ventilation openings in the chest and in the forearms. Exapmple of a jacket: RevIT Outback
Premium helmets: those can be HJC RPHA 90 or Schuberth C3 Pro, or other of same quality and level.
Intercoms: by Senna, MESH technology
Tank bags: those are generic, universal models, small to medium volumes.
GoPro: recent models (currently, the 13). We will provide you with one battery, and a couple of basic mounting hardware. If you wish to mount the camera in more complex ways other than on the helmet, please provide your own combination of mounting kit. You may also need to bring your own card reader to off load saved files from the card.
AVAILABILITY REQUEST AND LINKS TO OUR TERMS
If this tour matches your preferences and your riding experience you can submit an availability request by clicking the button below.
Please read the Tour Terms & Conditions which include our Cancellation Policy.
Check the Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for further information!
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